Indian manuscript on Unesco`s world register

New Delhi: An illustrated Indian manuscript recounting the history of Mughal ancestor Timur has been inscribed on Unesco`s Memory of the World Register, an official said Thursday.

`Tarikh-E-Khandan-E-Timuriyah` was written and created during the reign of Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, a descendant of Timur, in 1577-78 A.D. and is one of the 45 new documents and documentary collections selected from all over the world.
"The Mughals influenced the social, cultural and economic life both of the Indian people and of the world. Their contributions to the development of astrology, astronomy, medicine, fine arts, architecture, paintings and literature are unparalleled," said the Unesco website.

According to Unesco, the paintings of the `Tarikh-e Khandan-e Timuriyah` are unique examples of the height that was attained by the Mughals in the history of the art of painting.

Director-general of Unesco, Irina Bokova said: "By helping safeguard and share such a varied documentary heritage, Unesco`s Memory of the World Programme reinforces the basis for scholarship and enjoyment of the creative wealth and diversity of human cultures and societies."

The Memory of the World Register, which now has 238 items, covers all types of material and support, including stone, celluloid, parchment, audio recordings and more, she added.
Eleven countries have entered the Memory of the World Register for the first time with the new inscriptions: Bulgaria, Fiji, Guyana, Ireland, Japan, Mongolia, Morocco, Panama, Suriname, Switzerland, Tunisia.

The inscriptions were recommended by the International Advisory Committee of the Memory of the World Programme that met in Manchester, in Britain, May 22-25.

The Memory of the World Programme was launched in 1992 to guard against collective amnesia through the preservation of the valuable archive holdings and library collections all over the world and ensuring their wide dissemination.